Over the past few years we made the decision to become more involved in the amazing community of photographers within Australia.

The best way to to do this was to join the professional bodies

- The AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photographers) and

- the AAPP (The Australian Accredited Professional Photographers).

Both of these Associations work very hard to promote and maintain the highest standard of professional competence and business ethics in the industry.  It is essential that you choose a Photographer who is a member of at least one of these associations.  It ensures that they are of Industry Standard and that you will be provided with a quality and professional service bound by a Code of Ethics of which all Photographers comply.  The AIPP and AAPP websites are a great place to start when you are looking for a Photographer that suits you.

The AAPP is very active in South Australia (thank you!) and if you are a South Australian Photographer and are not a member you should join immediately. One of the opportunities that you are offered is to submit prints to be judged by a panel of expert judges.  This in itself is an experience that is incredibly valuable on its own.

As Photographers we are on a continual learning curve.  There is always new equipment, new trends, new techniques, all of which we must keep up with.  To be able to have a print judged and feedback given is an invaluable experience to learn and build upon our skills.  The best Photographers in the world will tell you that there is always something more to learn.  The AAPP print judging days are a wonderful opportunity to soak up the knowledge and critique shared by some of the many AMAZING and TALENTED Photographers that South Australia has to offer.  Like I said, if you are a Photographer in SA and are not a member you really should join.

We are absolutely delighted and truly humbled to share this news with you.  Our very own Kate Ellis entered prints for the very first time for last Tuesday’s Print Judging.  Of the 4 prints Kate entered she was awarded 2 ‘Silver’ awards (prints scoring 78 or above) for the following images.  This is a fantastic result for which we are very proud of Kate!

Congratulations Kate, a bottle of champagne is on its way to you!!

~ Merryn

I heard this great quote today which I think applies to all of us:

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‘The important thing is this:

To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.’

- Charles Dubois

Oh how time flies … it seems like only yesterday she was bouncing in her jolly jumper, wearing the knees out of all her pants, toddling down the drive way to help collect the mail …

Now she is 6 … and as clever as clever …

I must admit, that our idea for a garden tea party was inspired by non-other than the ubber talented and gorgeous Jessie Broome at J-Studios.

When I first asked Morgan what she wanted to do for her birthday party, she initially said she wanted to have an ice-skating party in the back yard. I said it was a good idea, but probably not something mum and dad could organise before next century … “what about a tea party?” I said … “yep” said Morgan, and the rest is history …

So on Friday all three kids and myself jumped in the car and went op-shopping … we were on the look out for vintage cups and saucers for the girls and little crystal sherry glasses for the boys (for apple juice of course!) … we looked for vintage dresses, long gloves, pretty hats, lacy scarves …. we looked and we looked and looked and …… WE FOUND THEM! yay!

We found some tomato stakes at the hardware store and made colourful swags full of treats for the guests to take home. We filled the pinata with sherbert bombs and boiled lollies. We baked a scrumptious chocolate cake and decorated it with spots. A wonderful, wonderful friend made little tea cup biscuits. We set a craft table for the guests to make little wooden peg dolls, and we made little name tags and tied them to the teacups and sherry glasses for place settings …

So on Sunday morning, at approximately 8 am, Morgan insisted she got dressed into her ‘pretty stuff’ as she called it. She put on her dress, her gloves, her hat, brushed her hair … by 9am she was sick of it, took it all off and put a t-shirt and shorts on! …

Thankfully she decided to put it all back on just before the guests arrived!

We had 18 children in total, 7 boys and 11 girls all ranging from 20 months to 6 years … and they were so well behaved, I was amazed! They played, and played and played …

The ‘wonderful aunty Merryn’ (who must also be thanked for these wonderful photos! – I love you!) hid cut-outs of cups and saucers in the back yard, and the guests had to find at least one and bring it back to have their names written on it ready for ‘pin the tea cup’ … Morgan’s expression is just priceless!

Lipstick was applied, the pinata was a hit (pardon the pun), and pass the parcel went down a treat …

At the end of every day, when we all sit down at our rambling, raucous, messy dinner table we always do “what was the best part of your day?” …

guess what Morgan said?

.

“oh … just …. everything” ….

.

.

Mum (Kate) x

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When I was one, I had just begun,

What I was two, I was nearly new,

When I was three, I was barely me,

When I as four, I was one year more,

When I was five, I was just alive,

But now I am six, I’m as clever as clever.

I think I’ll stay six now, for ever and ever.